How can I make the Harley I?

Question

I recently brought my 2005 Sportster from Miami, but I was told that is not legal to be operated in California. It only has 2000 miles. I'd like to know if there's any way to make it California legal

Answer 1

This just in, from the California DMV web site:

"What You Need to Know Before Buying a Vehicle from Out-of-State

The Bottom Line

If you are a California resident and acquire a new car, truck or motorcycle from another state, it must be certified to meet California smog laws in order to be registered here.

Aren't All Vehicles California Certified?

Not all new vehicles are manufactured to be sold to California residents or businesses. Many manufacturers make vehicles to be sold in the other 49 states. These vehicles (49-State) are made with smog equipment that meets federal emission standards, but not California standards. 50-State or California certified vehicles are made to be sold to California residents.

What Is Considered a New Vehicle?

California law considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer when acquired by a California resident or business to be a new vehicle. This holds true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state. If you acquire a new vehicle from another state, you may not subsequently drive it to accumulate over 7,500 miles to circumvent the law. DMV cannot accept an application to register the vehicle, and you cannot register or operate the vehicle in California.

Exceptions

As usual, there are a few exceptions included in the law. As a California resident or business you may be able to register a 49-State vehicle if you:

Obtained it as part of a divorce or inheritance settlement.

Purchased it to replace a vehicle stolen while you were using it out of state.

Purchased it to replace a vehicle which was destroyed or made inoperative beyond reasonable repair while you were using it out of state.

Were on active military duty outside California, and you registered the vehicle in the state of your last military service.

Check the Label

To find out whether a car or truck is California Certified, check the emission label under the hood. For a motorcycle check the headset or frame. The label should read that the vehicle conforms to California regulations, or that it is legal for sale in California.



Does This Apply to Someone Moving to California?

If you are moving to California from another state, you may register a new federally certified vehicle in California if it was first registered by you in your home state, or for military personnel, in your last state of military service. When applying for vehicle registration in California, you must provide evidence of your vehicle's previous registration and that you were a resident of the other state when you acquired the vehicle.

Vehicles Purchased From Out of the Country

California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly and in some cases impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards. For example, vehicles manufactured to be sold in Europe (gray market vehicles) less than two years old are not legal for registration or use in California.

For More Information Regarding...

California residency and vehicle importation laws and requirements, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Technical Compliance Section at [phone], or go to Buying an Out of State Vehicle.

The California Smog check program, contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) at [phone].

California smog laws, gray market vehicles, and 49-state vehicles, contact the California Air Resources Board (ARB) at [phone], by email at [e-mail], or visit ARB online. "

Answer 2

Need to get all the add-ons to make it emissions friendly for Cali.

Answer 3

you have got to be kidding.....

Only in the USof A  could a bike be legal in one state & not another...

Im finding it really hard to beleive this is the case...

Answer 4

just drive it

Answer 5

Yep, Harley has two different emissions setup. One for Cali and one for the rest of the U.S. The main difference is the Cali bike has a different air filter housing with a charcoal canister. It should be possible to buy the Cali parts to add to your bike from a Harley dealer. Or go to http://www.sportster.org and look for someone selling the stock parts from their Cali spec bike.

Answer 6

Since there's still no smog requirements for bikes here(YET!!lol) did they give you any specific REASON it wasn't legal? This is the first I've heard of this.(not registering an out-of state bike)- Heck my town has !!  3 !! V-8 powered BIKES !

Not to mention LOTS of bikes from other states! getting CA plates

Answer 7

Only in  California would that happen. Is the bike stock as in pipes ?

Answer 8

they have enough sportsters in ca,,,,,so there might be a ban on them there.